June 25, 2019
Matthew 11:29-30 The Message (MSG)
I like to take our small dog, Gracie, with me when I head out for a kayak ride. She loves being with me, but in order to go she must put on a special life-jacket. When I first put the jacket on her, she lays down like it weighs a ton, but actually it is very lightweight. So, within a few minutes, she is up and moving freely. The jacket is the perfect size for her and provides protection while we are making the journey; she is required to put it on.
Gracie’s life-jacket symbolically reminds me a little bit of Christ’s yoke of grace for believers; how we learn to live by faith and through grace. God does not weigh us down with an ill-fitting yoke; rather, God’s grace is a perfect fit for our salvation. Christ knows we need freedom to move about, but we also need the protection grace provides. Christ’s yoke is a blessing; we do not need to worry about anything while we are learning the rhythms of grace. The Holy Spirit guides us along and will one day deliver us to our journey’s end. In the meantime, grace protects us and allows us to enter a confident rest in God’s love. So, don’t resist the work of the Spirit. Instead, thank the Lord for his yoke of grace and learn from him.
Matthew 11:29-30
29-30 “Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the wonderful fitting grace you provide me each day. I want to walk with you and work with you, so please teach me more about your heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.